Historical Narrative

Cape Fear is a Lighter Aboard Ship (LASH) barge carrier, built for Prudential-Grace Lines in 1971 as Lash Espana. The vessel was later operated by Farrell Lines as Austral Lightning.

LASH vessels aredesigned to act as mother ships for fleets of barges,
which were offloaded, and loaded in riverine ports. The LASH concept
was well suited to military cargo transport, particularly in littoral
and underdeveloped geographic areas.

The Maritime Administration
purchased the Austral Lightning in May 1985 and renamed it Cape Fear.
As a part of the Ready Reserve Force, the vessel participated in cargo
operations during Operation DESERT STORM.

The vessel was downgraded to the
National Defense Reserve Fleet in July 2006, where it is currently in
emergency sealift status.